Injured fishermen land in Christchurch

Seven fisherman injured after a fire swept through a Korean fishing boat in the Southern Ocean have arrived in Christchurch.

The men, three of whom were seriously injured with second- and third-degree burns after Wednesday's fire on the Jeong Woo 2, landed after a flight from McMurdo Station in Antarctica aboard a US Air Force Hercules on Friday at 8.45pm (5.45pm AEDT), the Rescue Co-ordination Centre said.

Three Vietnamese sailors are missing, presumed dead, following the fire.

The boat's sister ship Jeong Woo 3 has been instructed to tow the ship when it is safe to do so to a position north of 60 degrees south, when its future will be decided.

The rescue mission was delayed after poor weather meant a USAF C17 Globemaster was unable to fly out of Christchurch to pick up the crew.

The Hercules was already at McMurdo Station.

A total of 37 men were rescued from the ship.

The 30 who did not require to be flown to Christchurch were taken to Jeong Woo 3 and will later be brought to Lyttelton by another ship.